Bill Rodgers, In His Own Words

A week ago, I was looking through the contents of my neighborhood little library and came across Marathoning by Bill Rodgers. I wasn’t fully aware of the contents of the book and I had originally assumed it was a “how to” sort of book on how to train and race marathons. With that in mind, I looked at the original publication date and saw that the 2nd edition had been released in 1982 (although, other than some stats in the back, I really don’t think any material content was added after the original release date of January 1, 1980). Given that I initially believed it was a “how to” book, I thought it would be interesting to read about what training was recommended 40+ years ago and how that might compare to something you would read today. My intention was to read through the book and try to give some commentary of what may have changed the most and what has stood the test of time.

However, I quickly realized this book was more autobiographical (though not exhaustive, as he would have been ~32 years old when writing) and seemed to be written in more of a stream of consciousness sort of style. This came across to me more like reading someone’s Morning Pages from The Artist’s Way than a standard autobiography. As I kept reading, I realized that my original idea about training progression commentary across 40 years wasn’t really going to work. Instead, I started making notes of my favorite quotes throughout the book and I figured I’d let Rodgers’ own words be the article.

There were quite a lot of quotes I liked, but didn’t include, as I tried to pare it down to the ones that seemed to be both philosophical and pragmatic without needing much (if any) context. In many cases, the quotes seem timeless, but I did include a few that are a reflection of the late 1970’s as well as ones that spoke to his personality. In just a few instances, I included a short statement for context that you will see in bold.

All lines are taken word for word from Rodgers’ book and are written in italics; page numbers are referenced in the parentheses that follow each quote.

I hope you enjoy it.

-justin

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I became a runner because it suited my personality. (21)

People who spend all day inside an office or a house are missing out on life. (21)

Running is fun and no one should be pushed into it too early. (25)

The proper running of a marathon centers on two factors: The first is psychological and the second is physical. (26)

Most of your mileage has to be easy running. (27)

The longest I’d ever run in high school was 12 miles. (33)

You have to be totally self-motivated in a sport like running in order to reach a world-class level. (38)

Even if it is winter, running is to be done in the open air. (44)

As much as we become more increasingly involved in technology, science, and business, we should not lose that instinct, that feeling for the earth. (46)

Some people say that the marathon does not begin until twenty miles. That’s when you hit the wall. The real truth is that the first few miles are the most important ones of the race. (58)

Do what you please. Do what you want. This is for you. (63)

To excel in the marathon involves some luck, tremendous motivation, and, to some extent, fortunate heredity. (69)

To succeed in the marathon at a high level of competition, you have to live in a very stable environment. (70)

Marathons are, like any other race, a great thrill to win, but unlike shorter races, the price one pays is severe. (75)

I guess I’m lazy. (79)

I don’ think that altitude training is a necessary tool for reaching the highest levels of fitness. (81)

You don’t train for the Olympics unless you are a romantic. (92)

Words cannot convey the utter feeling of losing that ones feels over a poor performance at the Olympics. (99)

The times not to run are the times when running today will curtail your running in the weeks, months and years ahead. (102)

Boston is not the ultimate marathon; the Olympic marathon is. (108)

I feel that it’s vitally important to do some speed work that’s faster than race pace. (113)

Consult your training diary. (114)

Success breeds success. (115)

How different the race can be on any given day. (121)

There’s tremendous strength that comes from being in the lead. (124)

Another reason I temporarily pick up the pace is to check the reaction of the pack. (126)

The loneliness visits you more frequently when you are out there training—in particular, at night in the dead of winter. (128)

Die-hard runners never die. (129)

First prize was a Waring blender… ….I’d already won my share of irons and toasters, but I didn’t have a blender. (134-5)

It was a twenty-mile race and I placed third. I ran in blue jeans. (137)

I ran in thirty-five races in 1978. (140)

The worst thing a runner can possibly do to his or her feet and legs is to run on concrete all the time. (149)

Our basic approach has always been about moderation. (165)

You have to do what you are best at, and it’s a waste of your time and energy to delude yourself continually trying to be good in events you have little or no aptitude for. (166)

This is the mark of maturity: saving the racing for the race (168)

When I had my car towed after winning the New York City Marathon, the officials… …paid the ninety-dollar fine. (178)

If you run Boston, I suggest you have friends along the course to give you water. (184) Boston had no aid stations at the time he was writing this.

There are no ‘ifs’ in this sport. (211)

I also made a classic mistake… …I had breakfast the morning of the race. (211)

Even in the really cold days of winter, it seemed there were more women out there than men. (218)

Physiologically, the present understanding is that a human is capable of a 2:06 or 2:05 marathon. (220) The current world record is 2:01:09 (shoe debate aside). Full Marathon World Record progression list: HERE.

I just happen to think running is one of the best ways to maintain a sound level of cardiovascular fitness (221)

Many doctors simply have no interest in promoting fitness as preventive medicine. (223)

From my experience, the shorter the distance you run and the higher the speed you run at, the more you must be warmed up. (228)

If you run a lot, you need to sleep a lot. (229)

There will always be controversy when the subject of alcohol comes up in relation to athletic performance. (236)

I recently discovered I average about 3900 calories per day. (238) Rodgers reported weighing 128 pounds at 5’9”.

I do eat some junk food, but it’s impossible to train twenty miles a day on a rotten diet. (239)

I am a bit eccentric at times… ….and I don’t care what others think. (243)

Of the approximately twenty-five million runners in the United States, many still fall into the ‘fair weather’ category. (248)

I remember one early training run when I actually threw my shoes away and finished the run in my bare feet. (252)

To be successful at a high level, you need all types of inspiration. (257)

I admire anyone that is out their trying to improve himself (260)

It’s important… …to have someone to train with, to have someone to relate to. (261)

Of all the inspirations, Ellen has been the most profound. (262) Rodgers’ wife.

There has been some ungentlemanly actions on my part in my career, I regret to say. (269)

You learn humility when you lose. You should practice it when you win. (270)

Does the runner make the coach or does the coach make the runner? (277)

You can’t race and train for two people. (277)

Of the noted coaches, my favorite is Arthur Lydiard (280)

I still think the concept of hard and easy days is generally valid (281)

If your coach doesn’t listen to you, move on (282)

I think the situations in which an athlete wins an Olympic gold medal on his own are going to be fewer and fewer…as you travel farther into the future, science and supportive society are going to play a larger part. (296)

I said “No thanks, only Winstons.” (301) Rodgers’ response when offered a cigarette at an official White House dinner.

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Source:

Rodgers B, Concannon J. Marathoning. New York: Simon and Schuster; 1982.

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Further reading:

Bill Rodgers Website, Bill Rodgers Running Center

Bill Rodgers Marathon Results Page

Bill Rodgers Wikipedia Page